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11, 9 w K WEYDANZ 2,899,181

G OR BLEND APPARATUS FOR-MI. c LIQUID, PULPY, POWD GRANUL OR; FIBROUS MATERIALS Filed ma 9, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 //V VE/V TOR NIL/{54M KARL WEMANZ M MOZZZZ ATTORNEYS Aug. 11, 1959 w. K. WEYDANZ ,8

APPARATUS FOR MIXING OR BLENDING LIQUID, v

PULPY, POWDERY, GRANULAR, OR. FIBROUS MATERIALS Filed may 9, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 M I ENTOR W/Lf/ELM KARL warm /vz ATTORNEYS Aug. 11, 1959 w. K. WEYDANZ 2,899,181

APPARATUS FOR MIXING OR BLENDING LIQUID,

PULPY, POWDERY, GRANULAR, OR.

' FIBROUS MATERIALS Filed May 9, 1955 4 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 47I'OIF V Y-S Aug. 11, 1959 w. K. WEYDANZ 2,899,181

' APPARATUS FOR MIXING OR BLENDING LIQUID,

PULPY, POWDERY, GRANULAR, OR.

'FIBROUS MATERIALS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 9, 1955 W/z/s [M/ mm Wf mA/vz,

United States Patent '0 APPARATUS FOR MIXING OR BLENDIN G LIQUID, PULPY, POWDERY, GRAN ULAR, ()R- F IBROUS RIALS 7 Claims. (Cl. 259-57) Germany, ssignor to (30., Got- The present invention relates to an apparatus for mixing or blending liquid, pulpy, powdery, granular, or fibrous materials.

For mixing such materials rotary containers are in general use. Inside such containers, which are not completely fully loaded, the materials are mixed due to the continuous tumbling motion. For this'purpose tumbler and rotary deviceshave been developed, the inclined baflles of which give the materials an axial and radial motion, and the apex or vortex of which force varying amounts of differently composed materials from different places of the container to move and admix due tothe continuously repeated change of position of the apex. There has also'been developed a V'-shaped mixing apparatus, thewalls ofwhich are oblique relativeto the trunnion axis and ending in an-apex.

It has "been found that a very large'number of changes in the shape of the materials'tqblend and best mixing efficiency in'thedirection the ,surfaceto the center of the materials as well as in the axial direction is achieved when the rotarycontainer essentially forms a triangular pyramid,-and more particularly a-tetrahedron.

The present invention rel-ates to such rotary gapparatusiof a shape substantially similar to a triangular pyramid, and more particularly-to a tetrahedron. Common features of'the devices as described above and the one in accordance with this invention are:- simplicity of thestructurqand thus simple-and economical manufacture; The mixing .appar-a'tus'in accordance with this present invention, however, provides improved .efiiciencyin material mixing operations.

' ,As in other difierently shaped containers, millin'g means may be added to the materials to blendrwhen ainixing and milling effect is required at ithe same time, or when the materials tend to compact and the'conglomerate, the center of which being not subjected to :themixingcperation, does :not disperse during the tumbling action.

Sometimes materials have to be deaitwithwhichdo not flow freely,-and which tend to collect in lthfi corners and edgesof the containen-thus excluding-thezso collected portions from the'mixing process. To eliminate this-elm ficiency it is proposed to slant or round all or part of the corners and edges of the container Which'itsclf retains'its .basic shape. This can be done also to facilitate cleansing of the container.

As in other mixing containers it is advantageous also in the embodiment in accordance with thi's present invention tohave'the axis of rotation pass zthrough'ithetce'nter of gravity of the container'or in its proximity. 'The axis of rotation may also beqdisposed in various planes 'relative to the it-r-iangular pyr'amid. Not allof these possible arrangements, however, render awsatisfactorymixing effeet. "It hasbeen' found that the mixing operation is highly eflicient when the axis of rotation is inparallel with one of the sides of the-triangular pyramid, or'wlien it passes through the centers "of twois'ides whi'chydo not meet in an apex. v I

70' Wide bevelled sections. 'fThree r tion with'some material piled up.

If materials have to be admixed which tend to adhere to the walls of the container the adheringv portionsxof the material would not partake in the mixing process. To prevent this adhesion the present invention therefore proposes to employ means which knock against the container. This can be done by arranging elastic or springsuspended hammers or the like the pathrof movement of the mixing container, or by providing the container itself with means which knock against the walls-during the rotary motion of the container. In some cases adhesion can also be prevented by having the interior of the container covered with a protective coatingwhich keeps the materials from sticking to the walls.

Besides at least one opening for loading and unload ing the container, further openings for cleansing the container may be provided at suitable places on the walls. All openings can be provided with means so that they can be closed.

The highly efiicient mixing operation of the container is also maintained if, in accordance with this present invention, several triangular pyramids or tetrahedrons are arranged one after the other on a commonshaft, adjacent containers being interconnected so as to forma single, long mixing apparatus. The common container so constituted maybe continuously loaded at its one end and continuously unloaded at its other end.

Two embodiments in accordance with this'presenfin'- vention are described in the following and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which .Figs. lgto '6 are diagrammatic illustrations of: one embodiment showing different phases of the-tumbling: action;

Fig. 1 shows a thin layer of material over all the-surfaceof a tetrahedron.

Fig. 2 shows the tetrahedron rotated into the nextpo'si- Fig. 3 shows the tetrahedron rotated into a nextposition with material again spread in a thin layer.

Fig.4 shows the next position with the materialpiletl deep in a vertex. I Fig. 5 shows the next position with the materialsfallen 1nto a trough between sides of'the tetrahedron; and

1g. 6 shows the next position with material again piled deep in a vertex. v

V Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of a "second em bodimentin which four tetrahedrons'are conrbined to form a single mixing unit.

Fig. '8 is a perspective view of. a'device according to the present invention.

. Fig. 9 is a plan view thereof.

: Fig. 10 is a front view taken. looking in of the axis of rotation B of Fig.9. a

Fig. 11 is a modified :form of an embodiment-with knocker, means outside of the container; andv Fig. l2'is a perspective view-of a commoncoittaini' which is constituted of a plurality ofnasseri'ihled' sin gle tetrahedron containers of the kind shown in Fig. 8,- and shows the continuous inflow and outflow 10f material;

Example I 1 25 kg. of .a certain substance witha weightof .015 gr;/cc. for the production .of, for instance, .medical tablets, are to be admixed with a small amountio ffll) gr. of a valuable essence so that eachtablet produced from the mixture contains .equal amounts of the, es: sence. Mixing is done in a rotary container substan the-amass tially shaped like a tetrahedron with IODQ mingling sides which is mounted on shaft means. rotation of the shaftmeans of gravity of the tetrahedron.

a is of passes throughethe center The lateral surfaces have n v e ,i fi f apexes "of'the tetrahedron are bevelled 'by' equilateral 'tfi jameter. the opposite tetrahedron surface, an additional opening of 100 mm. diameter is a side C of the container.

tetrahedron surface.

metry plane is bevelled by an equilateral hexagon with 70 mm. long sides. In its center this apex is provided with a loading and unloading opening of l OO mm. di-

The opening can be closed. In the center of provided to facilitate cleansing of the container.

The rotary shaft in a first embodiment extends through the container and is flanged to the walls. It is journalled -in ball bearings and driven by a motor through means of a coupling. The driving shaft of the motor rotates at a speed of 36 rpm. which speed is imparted to the container.

After weighing and filling-in the basic substance and the essence the mixing container is rotated, and after a short time of operation the mixing operation has been thoroughly completed and the mixed material can be unloaded through the inlet and discharge opening.

Figs. 1 to 6 diagrammatically show the tetrahedronshaped mixing container during different phases of the tumbling operation.

To simplify the drawings, the bevel form of the edges and apexes, and the inlet and cleaning openings, are not shown. Letter A designates the place where the inlet opening is arranged. B is the axis of rotation of the shaft which in this embodiment is in parallel with The content of the container is shown by shade lines to illustrate the mixing operation. In this example the materials occupy approximately half of the volume of the container. The surface of the materials is shown as being horizontal, as will be the case in a position of rest. During operation the surface of the materials is sloping due to the centrifugal force and the pouring quality of the materials.

In Fig. 1 a thin layer of materials covers all of one When turning the container into a position according to Fig. 2 the material flows into the space defined between two walls and the side C parallel to the axis of rotation, and forms a layer of medium height. Upon further rotation according to Fig. 3 the materials again spread on one tetrahedron surface in a thin layer. As rotation continues into a position according to Fig. 4 the materials flow from the wide area into the apex A where they form a deep layer. When rotating the container into a position as shown in Fig. 5 the materials side into a ridge portion defined by two surfaces and one side, perpendicular to the axis of rotation. When rotating the container into a position according to Fig. 6, the materials tumble into an apex and form a deep layer. Further rotation to the initial position accordingto Fig. 1 causes the materials accumulated in an apex to spread again in one thin layer, and the rotary operation cycle starts again.

Such a variety of different alterations in the shape of the mass of material results in a highly eflicient mixing operation which is achieved with a container in accordance with this present invention. The materials are spread twice on one of the tetrahedron surfaces, they accumulate twice in an apex of the tetrahedron, and they are received twice inside a ridge portion, one of which being in parallel with the axis of rotation, the other one being perpendicular relative to the axis of rotation. This process is repeated during each revolution of the container.

It is also possible in a second embodiment to connect the rotary shaft whose axis is the axis of rotation and the container in another way. It is not necessary for the shaft to extend through the container. Two trunnions may be journalled in flanges on two sides of the tetrahedron. Furthermore, the container may be enclosed by a square flat iron clamp disposed within the plane of the surface of the materials shown in Fig. 2 or 5. A

, 4 trunnion each is then fixed to the fiat iron on both sides in the axial direction.

In Figs. 8-12, E and F are the two sides of the containers through which the axis of rotation B passes. Since the axis of rotation B is to pass through the center of gravity of the container and further is to pass parallel to an edge such as C, the location of the axis of rotation B is uniquely determined. It passes through the two walls E and P which meet in the edge B.

In Figs. 9 and 10, there is shown in addition the knocker 6 which swings on pivot 5 carried on lug or ear 4 mounted on the side of the tetrahedron, and impacts against the outer surface of the tetrahedron.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 11, the knocker lies outside of the space which is traversed by the container. In this embodiment, the lug 7 and its pivot pin 8 and the knocker 9 are rotatably mounted on a fixed frame point 10.

In Fig. 12, the four individual tetrahedrons intercommunicate by passages connecting adjacent tetrahedrons to form an array which is a common container.

Example 11 Two or more different fertilizers, the quantity of which being predetermined in special devices, have to be processed continuously to render a uniform fertilizer mixture. The mixing container, the shape of which is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 7 is a common container which, is a combination of four individual containers of tetrahedron shape in accordance with this present invention. The sides of the tetrahedron are 2 metres long. The axis of rotation B of the common drive shaft passes through the centers of gravity of the four containers. Sides of the four tetrahedrons are in the parallel with the axis of rotation and form a side C. The four tetrahedrons are arranged close to each other so that the three edges 1, 2, and 3 are level with the axis B. The mixing container as a whole is carried in two rings, each of which runs on two rollers.

The rollers are driven by a motor so that the mixing container revolves 25 times per minute. The rings, the motors, and the rollers are not shown in Fig. 7.

The fertilizers are loaded into the mixing container at one of its ends by means of a worm-type elevator level with the axis, while at the other end a second conveyor means level with the axis receives the proc essed fertilizer mixture for transport so that the mixing container is always filled for approximately half its volume. The materials pass through all four of the tetrahedron containers. In each of the containers the materials are subjected to the tumbling operation as described in the above Example I. The ingredients are uniformly distributed in the processed fertilizer mixture transported by the conveyor means.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this present invention is susceptible of various modifications to adapte it to particular applications, and all such modifications which are within the scope of the appended claims are considered to be within the spirit of this present invention.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for mixing comminuted materials, shaft means, support means comprising hearings in which said shaft means is rotatably journaled, a container substantially in the shape of a tetrahedron and having four substantially flat walls meeting to form edges and vertices, said container being rotatably so mounted on said shaft means that the axis of said shaft means passes the center of gravity of said container and parallel to one of said edges.

2. In apparatus for mixing comminuted materials, shaft means, support means comprising hearings in which said shaft means is rotatably journaled, a container substantially in the shape of a tetrahedron and having four substantially flat walls meeting to form edges and vertices, said container being rotatably so mounted on said shaft means that the axis of said shaft means passes through the center of gravity of said container and parallel to one of said edges, said edges and said vertices being rounded.

3. In apparatus for mixing comminuted materials, shaft means, support means comprising hearings in which said shaft means is rotatably journaled, a container substantially in the shape of a tetrahedron and having four substantially flat Walls meeting to form edges and vertices, said container being rotatably so mounted on said shaft means that the axis of said shaft means passes through the center of gravity of said container and parallel to one of said edges, and knocking means mounted externally of said container and adapted to knock against outer faces of walls of said container as the same rotates.

4. In apparatus for mixing comminuted materials, shaft means, support means comprising bearings in which said shaft means is rotatably journaled, a container substantially in the form of a tetrahedron and having four substantially flat walls meeting to form edges and vertices, said container being rotatably so mounted on said shaft means that the axis of said shaft means passes through the center of gravity of said container and parallel to one of said edges, and knocking means mounted externally of said container, and supporting means separate from said container and supporting said knocking means displaceably in the path of and engageable with external faces of walls of said container as the same rotates.

5. A container according to claim 1, the internal surfaces of said walls being provided wtih a protective coating which prevents the enclosed materials from sticking to said walls.

6. An apparatus for mixing comminuted materials characterized by a common container array constituted of a plurality of single individual containers, each in the shape of a tetrahedron and having four substantially flat walls meeting to form edges and vertices, the said single containers being arranged close to each other and intercommunicating to form the said common con tainer, the said single containers having one common edge shaft support means comprising bearings in which said shaft means is rotatably mounted, the said single containers being mounted to have a common axis of rotation, said common container being rotatably so mounted on said shaft means for rotation about said common axis of rotation, that the axis of said shaft means passes through the centers of gravity of all said single containers and extends parallel to said common edge of said single containers.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, said common container having openings at its ends near the axis of totation for continually filling with unmixed materials and emptying the mixed materials.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 405,973 Welch June 25, 1889 2,267,898 Cornell Dec. 30, 1941 2,514,126 Fischer July 4, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 375,755 Great Britain Dec. 22, 1930 

